A few days ago, Google sent a message to millions of Android users in India informing them that Paytm UPI payments would no longer work for their accounts. Given the popularity of UPI in the country, it sparked widespread concern among users, particularly those who rely on their phones to pay for services and shopping rather than carrying a wallet full of cash these days.
The change to Paytm UPI has been looming for a while, and Google has now given users one last chance to make the switch before they worry about their payments not working.
Key Highlights
- Paytm confirms no disruption to UPI payments except recurring subscriptions, which require new bank-linked handles.
- One-time UPI transactions remain unaffected; users must update @paytm handles for recurring payments.
UPI Payments on Paytm for Android Users: What Has Changed?
UPI payments via Paytm required changes in response to regulatory orders from the payment authority that oversees the service. Paytm was asked to move its payment channels through banks, so the UPI handles were changed from @paytm to @pthdfc, @ptasbi, and others.
And this is how the Google alert notifies users about the changes that will take effect on August 31, 2025. "@PayTM UPI handles will be deprecated, and Google Play will no longer accept them as a payment method. "This is in accordance with instructions from the National Payment Corporations of India (NCPI)," the Google alert stated.
The company was forced to retract its notification after an early alert claimed that all Paytm UPI payments would not work on the Play Store, which is used to pay for subscriptions to Android apps. The need for the updated warning arose from Google's blatant misphrasing of the terms, which surprised both the companies involved in the process and millions of users.
Also Read: Paytm to Invest Rs 455 Cr in Subsidiaries, Exits Real-money Gaming Biz
Changes to Paytm UPI: What Should You Do?
Stopping the use of the outdated Paytm UPI handles should be your first step. Google advises changing or updating the UPI handle or using a different payment method to pay for these services prior to the date of your subscription renewal.
The changes will take effect on October 1st of this year, and the UPI apex body is prepared to block one of the primary routes for these scams. Making payments simple was the primary goal behind the introduction of UPI's payment request feature.
However, the scammers turned the receiving tool into a weapon. A lot of people began receiving phony payment requests, which occasionally gave them the impression that money was being sent to them.
